The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-08-10
THE MONEY IN THE HONEY.
Practical Address on Bees aud Bee Gull
ture.

THE MONEY LIN IRE dVNGA'
Practical Address on Bees aud Bee Cul-
The address of Mr.. T. j. Moore on bee
culture, delivered at the Interstate En-
campment, on Tuesday, was telegraphed
in full to the Neacs and Courier the same
night, but did not arrive in time for
publication in Wednesdays first edition.
The address is as follows:
The Address.
To the cotton planters and others of
large notions, bee keeping may seem a
small and despicable occupation. 1t is,
however, not unworthy of their atten.
ton; it is an intellectual employment,
and to them as well as others, who have
some spare time, ladies especially, and
those who have scientific turn of mind,
it would prove, if not very profitable
one in pecuniary point Of view, at least
very entertaining. In Europe it is set
down among the scientific pursuits.
Many persons who have followed it have
rendered their names famous; notably,
Huber Dierson, Lsngstroth, Quindy and
many others. But it is not for such par.
ties that my remarks to-day are intended.
Idesire to speak to the average farmers
of the country, hoping thereby to induce
some Of them to undertake what I know
will give them great pleasure and some
profit; and to help those who are already
engaged therein, but are cropping in dark
ness.
I do not propose to give you learned
dissertation on the bee, nor to weary
your patience with many words. I will
give you some of my personal experience
to demonstrate to you that if I, of whom
so little could have been expected, have
accomplished anything, others may not
be deferred from undertaking it; to-
gether with some practical suggestions
and deductions as I pass along.
BITS OF MY EXPERIENCE.
In my inheritance were two colonies of
bees; one in the common old box, and
the other in bee palace, large cup.
board like structure with double doors
on both sides, and fifteen or twenty boxes
on the inside box with that number of
colonies, the bees walking out and in
from the bottom. This was invented by
man who knew nothing whatever Of
the wants of the bee or its management,
but who found number of ignorant far.
mers who were willing to invest their
money in worthless concern. I did not
know what to do with the miserable
stinging insects. Though Ihsd charged
the guns of the enemy and had braved
the minnie ball, 80 dreadfully afraid was
/ of these little insects that two or three
or even one was sufficient to put me to
fight. Welltl there,my hives sat for q
year or two unmolested, the swarms run.
ming away. In that day, when money
was easier made than now, I preferred to
buy my honey, rather than risk their
stings. About this time, believing that
every one who follows an occupation
should thoroughly post himself on it, 1
ordered lot Of agricultural books.
Among the number were two on bee cul.
ture. Though afraid of the bee I had it
closely associated with the lowing herds
with wide distended udders, about which
Virgil wrote as we'll as I, Columella aud
others. thought no country home
could be complete without the indus.
trious bee. It's busy hum in spring time
seemed to'impart such joy and gladness
around it as it gathered honey from every
opening flower, and to set such good
example of industrious habits that I
could not forego the. attempt to inyesti:
gate its nature and habits, and to try to
do something in the way of cultiyating.
After reading my books and learning
something more of them,4 was strength.
ened in my purposes and resolves. The
books spoke of handling them in the
movable farm hives so easily as if they
had no stings, SOL concluded to Try.
THE FIRST EFFORTS.
Well do / remember my first effort in
turning up the old box. hive and examin-
ing the combs to see what progress the
bees were making towards swarmipg in
the way of the construction Of queen
cells and stocking the hive with eggs and
youog bees, as the books directed.
1T was dreadfully hot spring day, but
with coat tightly buttoned, head wrapped
in veil and hands gloved, I commenced
operations. 1t brings smile to this day
to remember how, with fear, excitement
and the uncomfortable dress / wore, I
labored and perspired. almost melted,
but succeeded, and there and then de-.
ternined that 7 could and would keep
bees. A few such lessons and the hiving
of few swarms completely infatuated
me and dispelled my fears. Coat, gloves
and veil were soon laid aside as useless
membranes. Iwent out in the neigh
borhood, bought twenty colonies in the
box hive and transferred them to new
movable frame hives, bees, comb and all,
without receiving single vting, if I re.
member Alright; at any rate only very.
few.
SUCCESS.
Since then from fifty to seventy. five
hives have graced my lawn and supplied
my table with a luxury that but few en-.
Joy, and this reminds me that I met q
grown man this spring who wanted to
L r.